HE SHOWS HIS TRUE COLOURS ????? Paul Kelly leaves the party

Labour stalwart flies the independent flag
Published on 28/03/2008
Coun. Paul Kelly
THE bizarre Labour Party hokey-cokey in the run-up to the Northumberland unitary authority elections took another twist this week.For after being in, out, and then in, out again, county councillor Paul Kelly has shaken it all about by deciding to stand as an independent on May 1. Retired schoolteacher Coun. Kelly has represented the Bywell ward on the county council for 11 years, and is currently chairman of the county planning committee.However, Coun. Kelly was told earlier this year by the regional Labour party his seat was one of three in Tynedale which would have a women only shortlist.Then, when the party failed to find a local woman to contest the seat, he was told he was back in again.But this week, it emerged he was out again, with the Labour party having decided to parachute in a woman candidate from outside the district.A fed-up Coun. Kelly said this week: “I have been loyal to the Labour party throughout my political career, but loyalty works both ways.“I also have to be loyal to the people of Bywell, who have loyally supported me for the last three county elections.“I could not possibly stand for any other party, so I have decided to stand under the Independent flag, and the people can decide.”Coun Kelly stressed he was a firm believer in equality for women.However, he questioned the wisdom of bringing in an unknown non-local candidate for a seat where there is a traditionally strong Liberal Democrat vote.A split Labour vote could let in the Liberal Democrat, Tynedale councillor Nick Appleby.Elsewhere, the Labour Party is still playing its cards close to its chest, and has yet to formally confirm who will be fighting the 13 seats in Tynedale on its behalf.It is known that Coun. Tony Reid will fight one of the two Prudhoe seats, as the only survivor of the ruling executive in the present county council.However, much speculation remains about the other Prudhoe seat, currently held on the county council by Coun. Glenn Simpson.The name of long serving Prudhoe district councillor Bill Garrett remains in the frame, as does that of his wife and fellow councillor Lorna, but both have declined to comment .One man who will be facing the electorate is the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hexham Andrew Duffield, who is hoping to follow in the successful footsteps of one of the party’s most prominent figures.Mr Duffield has been selected as an 11th hour candidate to fight the Corbridge seat.It was winning the Corbridge seat on the infant Tynedale Council in 1973 that catapulted Alan Beith into the national spotlight more than 35 years ago.Mr Duffield has been brought in to replace original choice Rob Macfarlane, who is getting married in May.Nominations for the seats formally opened on Monday, but the full list of runners and riders will not be known until nominations close next Friday.